Encephalitozoonosis is caused by fungi-like organisms.[1] It is generally a problem with rabbits, who are the main source of infection in dogs. Dogs become infected when they come into contact with rabbit urine, ingest it, or sniff it. Follow these steps for treating Encephalitozoonosis in dogs.

Steps

Method1

Understanding Encephalitozoonosis

1

Understand what Encephalitozoonosis is. Encephalitozoonosis is a parasitic disease. The disease is rare in dogs because the disease most commonly affects rabbits. This disease causes lesions on various organs in your dog’s body.[2]

Humans with weak immune systems, such as the young, old, or ill, can also contract the disease. However, this is rare.

2

Know how Encephalitozoonosis affects dogs. Encephalitozoonosis can affect different areas of the body. This can cause disease in the following organs:

Lungs, causing coughing and difficulty breathing

Heart, which can cause heart failure

Kidney, which can cause kidney failure

Brain, causing behavior abnormalities, such as aggression,seizures, tremors, and blindness[3]

3

Test for the disease. Since these symptoms can be common causes of other diseases, a veterinarian would unlikely diagnose Encephalitozoonosis in the infected dog. Further testing would be needed to diagnose it. The testing includes checking the blood and urine for abnormalities.[4]

If you suspect this disease in your dog, mention it to your veterinarian and any possible contact the dog could have had with rabbits or rabbit urine.

4

Know how dogs contract the disease. Encephalitozoonosis is thought to be contracted through the mouth and nose. A dog can contract the disease by sniffing or licking infected urine.[5]

Kennelled dogs are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Mothers can also pass this disease to their offspring through placenta.[6]

Method2

Treating Encephalitozoonosis

1

Recognize the symptoms. In puppies, symptoms appear when they are around three weeks old. The symptoms include stunted growth, poor coat, inability to thrive, kidney failure, and neurological complications. Infected adult dogs have the same symptoms that puppies do, but they also have a few additional ones, including: brain abnormalities, aggressive behavior, seizures, and blindness.[7]

2

Follow the veterinarian’s treatment. If your dog has Encephalitozoonosis, then the doctor will prescribe various supportive treatments. An example of a supportive treatment the doctor may prescribe is IV fluids or electrolytes to help the kidneys.

Most dogs will recover with treatment. In severe cases where dogs don’t respond to treatment, the dog may have to be put down. This is most common in puppies.[10]

3

Keep the dog separate. The disease is spread through urine, so you need to keep your dog separate from other dogs and from vulnerable humans. You can keep them at the vet or separated in your home.[11]

Keep the dog in an area that is easily clean, like a tiled floor instead of carpet.

Use disposable bedding and cloth. This can help you avoid further contamination.[12]

4

Sanitize the area. Since this disease can be contracted by dogs, cats, rabbits, and humans, you need to sanitize the area. Use a 1:10 bleach solution to clean the area.[13] If you can’t bleach the area, like carpets, rugs, or upholstery, steam clean the area.[14]

To make the bleach solution, place ¼ cup of bleach in 2 ¼ cups of water. It will take less than a minute for the bleach to kill the organisms.

Wear gloves. When you are cleaning or interacting with your sick dog, you need to wear disposable gloves. This helps reduce the chance that you will contract the disease. Make sure to dispose of the gloves and wash your hands with soap and water after you have touched the dog or any infected area.[16]